Intelligent vehicle access control system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for the automatic inspection of a motor vehicle has an identification and psychological profiling zone, an automatic inspection zone and a manual inspection zone. A biometric and heart rate detection station and an attached console are located in zone one. Undercarriage scanning equipment and an explosives detection portal are located in zone two. The apparatus also has one or more fixed cameras, an alarm or other alerting mechanisms and a physical barrier. A vehicle detection mechanism detects the entry of a vehicle into zone two and captures an image of the vehicle number plate. When the captured biometric data and number plate data indicate that the driver is authorized to drive the particular vehicle into the secured zone, and if no abnormalities or foreign objects in the undercarriage image are detected, the driver is allowed to proceed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to monitoring and/or controllingvehicular access to sites, and in particular providing vehicularundercarriage scanning and/or driver recognition prior to a vehicleentering such sites.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is necessary to control access of personnel and vehicles toall sites, both civilian and military.

[0003] In recent decades, motor vehicles have been used in the type ofterrorist activities that have come to be known as car bombings. Motorvehicles have carried explosives and detonated in a particular locationto cause damage to personnel and property.

[0004] It is also the case that a motor vehicle that can legitimately bebrought onto a site can be stolen or hijacked by a terrorist group,loaded with explosives and brought onto a site by a terrorist or broughtin unawares by driver/passengers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, there is providedapparatus for the automatic inspection of vehicles being driven into afirst area. The apparatus comprises: imaging means, database means andmeans for comparing. The imaging means is for capturing an image of theundercarriage of a vehicle as it is being driven into the first area.The database means is for storing images of the undercarriages ofvehicles which are permitted into the first area. The means forcomparing is for comparing the captured image of the undercarriage ofthe vehicle being driven into the first area with one or more of thestored images of the undercarriages of vehicles on the database means.

[0006] In this aspect, the present invention allows for the scanning ofthe undercarriage of a vehicle for explosives or other illicit material,verification of both the identity of the driver and the identity of thevehicle, to establish that the particular vehicle is permitted into asensitive site and that it is currently being driven by a driver who ispermitted to drive it into that site.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, there is providedapparatus for the automatic inspection of vehicles being driven into afirst area. The apparatus comprises: database means, means forcapturing, number plate recognition means and means for interrogating.The database means contains: driver identification data identifyingdrivers who are permitted to drive vehicles into the first area; numberplate data identifying vehicles which are permitted into the first area;and data identifying which driver is permitted to bring which vehicleinto the first area. The means for capturing is for capturingidentification data about a driver who is driving the vehicle into thefirst area. The number plate recognition means is for capturing numberplate data about the vehicle being driven into the first area. The meansfor interrogating is for interrogating the database means on the basisof the captured identification data about the driver who is driving thevehicle into the first area and on the basis of the captured numberplate data to determine whether or not that driver is permitted to drivethat vehicle into the first area.

[0008] Either of the above aspects may allow for the scanning of theundercarriage of a vehicle for explosives or other illicit material,verification of both the identity of the driver and the identity of thevehicle, to establish that the particular vehicle is permitted into asensitive site and that it is currently being driven by a driver who ispermitted to drive it into that site.

[0009] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provideda method for the automatic inspection of vehicles being driven into afirst area. The method comprises the steps of: capturing an image andcomparing the captured image. The captured image is an image of theundercarriage of a vehicle as it is being driven into the first area.The captured image of the undercarriage of the vehicle being driven intothe first area is compared with one or more stored images of theundercarriages of vehicles which are permitted into the first area.

[0010] According to again another aspect of the invention, there isprovided a method for the automatic inspection of vehicles being driveninto a first area. The method comprises: capturing data, reading anumber and determining whether a driver is permitted to drive a vehicleinto the first area. The captured data is identification data about adriver who is driving the vehicle into the first area. The number is thenumber on the vehicle number plate of the vehicle being driven into thefirst area. Determining whether the driver is permitted to drive thatvehicle into the first area is based on captured identification dataabout the driver who is driving the vehicle into the first area, oncaptured number plate data, and on driver identification dataidentifying drivers who are permitted to drive vehicles into the firstarea.

[0011] According to a yet further aspect of the invention, there isprovided a method of controlling vehicular access to a secure sitehaving at least one entrance with a plurality of inspection zones, eachinspection zone being contiguous with at least one other inspection zoneand at least one inspection zone being contiguous with the secure site.The method includes the steps of: permitting a driver to bring a vehicleinto a first one of the inspection zones, conducting at least oneinspection process on the vehicle in the first inspection zone andpossibly permitting the driver to bring the vehicle into a second one ofthe inspection zones and conducting at least one inspection process onthe vehicle in the second inspection zone. The vehicle which the driveris permitted to bring a vehicle into the first inspection zone is avehicle attempting access to the first area. The allowable outcomes ofthe at least one inspection process in the first inspection zonecomprise: (i) the vehicle failing the or at least one inspection processand: (a) the vehicle not being permitted to move out of the firstinspection zone; or (b) the vehicle being allowed to leave withoutproceeding into the first area; and (ii) the vehicle passing the or allthe inspection processes and being permitted to move out of the firstinspection zone into the second inspection zone. If the vehicle hasentered the second inspection zone the at least one inspection processon the vehicle in the second inspection zone is conducted. The allowableoutcomes of the at least one inspection process in the second inspectionzone comprise: (iii) the vehicle failing the or at least one inspectionprocess and: (c) the vehicle not being permitted to move out of thesecond inspection zone; or (d) the vehicle being allowed to leavewithout proceeding into the first area; and (iv) the vehicle passing theor all the inspection processes and being permitted to move out of thesecond inspection zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention is further described by way of non-limitativeexample with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 shows an overview of an apparatus according to oneembodiment of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the apparatusof FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 shows the logical architecture of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIGS. 4 and 5 are block diagrams of sub-systems of FIG. 3; and

[0017]FIG. 6 is an example of the user interface of the embodiment ofFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] The Apparatus of the Invention

[0019] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustratedgenerally at item 1 in FIG. 1.

[0020] The arrangement of apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG.1 is in three zones, an identification and psychological profiling zone2, an automatic inspection zone 3 and a manual inspection zone 4.

[0021] The apparatus of the present invention includes a control center13. Control and/or signal paths connect components of the system to thecontrol center 13. Those components include biometric and heart ratedetection station 8 with an attached console 7, a traffic light 9, anexplosives detection portal 11, undercarriage scanning apparatus 12, oneor more fixed cameras 17, an alarm 18 and a physical barrier 19. Theapparatus of the present invention can be placed in multiple locationswith each installation networked so as to be controlled by a centralizedmanagement system. The benefits of a centralized control include moreefficient administration, timely maintenance and a reduction in securitypersonnel required to support the multiple installations. Further forfacilities having multiple entry and exit points further data can berecorded as to the time of visit and time of exit including duration ofthe visit. Placing centralized control yields a holistic approach tosecurity with incidents at the installations being managed andcontrolled along with other security measures and so avoiding thepotential for errors or redundancy.

[0022] According to alternative preferred embodiments of the inventionwhich are not shown in the drawings, spike or other suitable barriersare also located at either or both of the transition regions between:

[0023] the identification and psychological zone and the automaticinspection zone; and

[0024] the automatic inspection zone and the manual inspection zone.

[0025] The logical architecture 21 of the system of FIG. 1 isillustrated in FIG. 3. The central server 22 is running number platerecognition (licence plate recognition—LPR) software 26, undercarriageimage processing software 27 and database software 28. The centralserver 22 presents a user interface 23 to a user. A number platerecognition system 31, driver image system 32 and undercarriage scanningsystem 33 also have inputs to the central server 22.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a representation of the architecture of the number platerecognition system, the software 26 of which runs on the central server22. The LPR software 26 is used to recognise the number on the vehiclenumber plate (which, according to the country, may be the registrationor licence plate, etc.). This system includes a central computer 37(which may or may not be the same computer as the central server 22 ofFIG. 3). The central computer 37 interfaces by way of suitable hardwaresuch as frame grabber 38, communications port 39 and digital I/O card 41with cameras and sensors 42 and 43. It will be appreciated that,although these cameras and sensors are numbered as items 42 and 43 inFIG. 4, their physical implementations include the LPR camera 17 of FIG.1.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a representation of the architecture of theundercarriage scanning and driver verification systems. The centralcomputer 37 interfaces by way of a frame grabber 51, video switch 52 andmultiplexer 53 with driver verification cameras 54 and undercarriagescanning camera 56. It will be appreciated that, although the driververification cameras and undercarriage scan camera are numbered as items54 and 56 in FIG. 5, their physical implementations include cameras 14and 17 of FIG. 1 and the undercarriage scanning equipment illustrated asitem 12 in FIG. 1.

[0028]FIG. 6 is a representation of an exemplary computer display on ascreen as monitored by security personnel. The screen includes a currentundercarriage image 70, the vehicle number plate number and a currentimage of the driver 62, as well as a past, reference undercarriage image80 and a past, reference driver image 65. Identification of the vehicle,as it is driven into the inspection system, is initiated through camerasproviding the vehicle number plate number which appears in the vehicledata image 60, which also includes the NRIC number of the driver andprevious entry and exit times and dates. The current driver image 62 iscompared with the stored driver image 65 for inspection by the operator.At the same time the actual undercarriage image 70 “stitched” togetherto show a composite view on screen is then compared to the stored images80 of the vehicle undercarriage. Where abnormalities 75 are identified,these may be further enhanced for closer detailed inspection by theoperator.

[0029] Operation of the Apparatus of the Invention

[0030] The following description of the operation of the apparatus ofthe invention should be read in conjunction with the top-levelflow-chart of FIG. 2, which gives an overall view of that operation.

[0031] As a vehicle such as that illustrated at 6 in FIG. 1 is driveninto the inspection system 1, the driver of the vehicle is presentedwith a red light by traffic light 9 (action 201 of FIG. 2).

[0032] When the vehicle 6 enters the identification and psychologicalprofiling zone 2, it is detected by the camera 17, or other detectionmeans. This detection of the vehicle triggers the number platerecognition system. The number plate recognition functions are thenassigned to the camera 17.

[0033] The detection of the vehicle 6 triggers the number platerecognition system and at the same time the driver is prompted to winddown the window, look into the facial identification camera adjacent tothe vehicle, and place his or her hand on a sensor in the biometricrecognition and heart rate detection console 7. The placement of thedriver's hand on this sensor also acts as a trigger to activate thefacial identification or eye scanning system.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the driver may also be prompted tospeak so as measure a voice characteristic. According to furtherpreferred embodiments of the invention, the heart rate data that iscaptured is compared with base-line pulse rate data about the driver toinfer whether or not the driver is exhibiting any nervousness. Similarlythe voice characteristic is compared to existing voice data about thedriver to determine the identity of the driver, or to infer whether ornot the driver is nervous.

[0035] The following decisions are then made.

[0036] Based on the output of the number plate recognition system, adecision is made as to whether or not the vehicle is authorised to enterthe secured zone (decision 203 of FIG. 2). If the vehicle is notauthorised to enter the secured zone, an alarm is raised (204 of FIG. 2)or other alerting mechanism.

[0037] Based on the output of the biometric recognition system, adecision is made whether or not the driver is a person who is authorisedto enter the secured zone (decision 207 of FIG. 2). If the driver is notauthorised to enter the secure zone, an alarm is raised (208 of FIG. 2)or other alerting mechanism.

[0038] Based on the output of a heartbeat detector, a decision is madewhether or not the driver is exhibiting nervousness at entering thesecured zone (decision 212 of FIG. 2). If the driver is exhibiting suchnervousness, an alarm is raised (213 of FIG. 2) or other alertingmechanism.

[0039] If none of these alarms is raised, the driver is presented with agreen light (process 209 of FIG. 2) and drives the vehicle 6 through theexplosives detection portal 11, and over the undercarriage scanningequipment.

[0040] If any illicit material is detected on passage of the vehicle 6through the explosives detection portal 11, an alarm is raised (213 ofFIG. 2) or other alerting mechanism.

[0041] The undercarriage scanning equipment is located within a housing,either above ground or below ground level, over which the vehicle willtravel. The undercarriage image is created from a composite of imagescaptured by the area scan camera whilst the vehicle is traversing thescanning equipment with the overlapping images “stitched” together toform the complete undercarriage image. The image that is captured of thevehicle undercarriage is compared with previous undercarriage imagesfrom a database (215 of FIG. 2) and if there is a discrepancy ordetected foreign objects between the images an alarm is raised (217 ofFIG. 2) or other alerting mechanism. These foreign objects may then behighlighted and traced in high resolution on the screen enabling theoperator to zoom in for a more detailed inspection.

[0042] In each case the alarm or other alerting mechanism extends toaudible and visual alarm means, while also activates engagable physicalbarriers such as retractable bollards, raised kerbs or spikes eachcapable of preventing the vehicle from proceeding or retreating. Furtherthe installation may include physical protection means so that in thecase of an explosion, the extent of the damage is limited, protectinglife and property. The protection means may further minimise damage tothe security apparatus from the explosion.

[0043] The apparatus of the invention is further applicable to bothfixed installations and portable installations so as to establish aninstallation at a temporary site for a given event.

[0044] If neither of these alarms is raised, an image of the vehicleinterior is saved (218 in FIG. 2) the barrier 19 is opened and thevehicle is free to proceed into the secured facility.

[0045] Various amendments and alternatives falling within the scope ofthe invention are readily apparent to the skilled artisan.

[0046] The entire disclosure of Australian provisional application No.2003-900048 filed Jan. 7, 2003 is incorporated by reference.

1. An apparatus for automatically inspecting vehicles being driven intoa first area, the apparatus comprising: imaging means for capturing animage of an undercarriage of a vehicle as the vehicle is being driveninto the first area; database means for storing images of undercarriagesof vehicles which are permitted into the first area; and means forcomparing the captured image of the undercarriage of the vehicle beingdriven into the first area with at least one of the stored images of theundercarriages of vehicles in the database means.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the imaging means comprises an area-scancamera for capturing a series of images of different areas of theundercarriage of the vehicle; and means for stitching the series ofimages of different areas of the undercarriage, to form a compositeundercarriage image.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, whereinindividual images of the series of images are overlapping images.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the composite undercarriageimage is a complete undercarriage image.
 5. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the database means further stores vehicleidentification data of vehicles permitted into the first area inassociation with the images of the undercarriages of those vehicles. 6.The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: means forinputting an identification of a vehicle being driven into the firstarea; and wherein the means for comparing is operable to compare thecaptured image of the undercarriage of the vehicle with at least one ofthe stored images associated with the identification of the vehiclebeing driven into the first area and to highlight discrepanciestherebetween.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprisingmeans for triggering an alerting mechanism when the means for comparinghighlights discrepancies.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 6, whereinthe means for inputting an identification of a vehicle comprises meansfor reading an identification number on the vehicle.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the means for reading comprises numberplate recognition means for reading a number on a vehicle number plate.10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the database meansfurther contains driver identification data of drivers permitted todrive vehicles into the first area.
 11. The apparatus according to claim10, wherein the database means associates the driver identification datawith at least one vehicle that individual drivers are permitted to driveinto the first area.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, furthercomprising: means for inputting driver identification data of the driverof a vehicle being driven into the first area; and wherein the means forcomparing is operable to compare input driver identification data withdriver identification data contained in the database to determinewhether the driver is permitted into the first area.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein the means for comparing is furtheroperable to compare identification data of a current vehicle beingdriven into the first area with driver identification data contained inthe database to determine whether the driver is permitted to drive thecurrent vehicle into the first area.
 14. An apparatus for automaticallyinspecting a vehicle being driven into a first area, the apparatuscomprising: database means containing: driver identification dataidentifying drivers who are permitted to drive vehicles into the firstarea; number plate data identifying vehicles which are permitted intothe first area; and data identifying which driver is permitted to bringwhich vehicle into the secure site; means for capturing identificationdata about a driver who is driving the vehicle into the first area;number plate recognition means for capturing number plate data about thevehicle being driven into the first area; and means for interrogatingthe database means based on the captured identification data about thedriver who is driving the vehicle into the first area and based on thecaptured number plate data to determine whether the driver is permittedto drive the vehicle into the first area.
 15. The apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein the means for inputting driver identification datacomprises means for capturing identification data about the driver. 16.The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the driver identificationdata for a driver comprises information from a personal identificationcard.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the means forcapturing identification data about a driver is operable to capture datafrom a driver's personal identification card.
 18. The apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein the driver identification data for adriver comprises biometrics data of the driver.
 19. The apparatusaccording to claim 18, wherein the biometrics data identifying driverswho are permitted to drive vehicles into the first area comprises atleast one of: a facial image of each such driver; a print of at least aportion of a hand of each such driver; an eye scan of each such driver;and voice data of each such driver.
 20. The apparatus according to claim18, wherein the means for capturing identification data about a driveris operable to capture driver biometrics data.
 21. The apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein: the means for capturing identificationdata comprises means for detecting physiological data about the driverwho is driving the vehicle; and further comprising: means for inferring,from the detected physiological data, information about a currentpsychological profile of the driver; and means for triggering analerting mechanism when the inferred current psychological profile ofthe driver matches specified criteria.
 22. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 21, in which the specified criteria include a stress level of thedriver.
 23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which thephysiological data includes data about at least one of a pulse rate andvoice characteristic data of the driver.
 24. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 23, in which: the apparatus further includes means for storing atleast one of base-line pulse rate data and voice characteristic dataabout the driver; and the means for inferring the current psychologicalprofile of the driver from the detected physiological data includesmeans for comparing at least one of the detected pulse rate of thedriver with the base-line pulse rate data for the driver, and thedetected voice characteristic of the driver with the stored voicecharacteristic data for the driver.
 25. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 15, in which the apparatus is arranged in three zones, comprising:an identification and psychological profiling zone, in which the meansfor capturing identification data about the driver is located; anautomatic inspection zone, in which the imaging means for capturing animage of the undercarriage of the vehicle is located; and a manualinspection zone.
 26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, furthercomprising means, under control of the apparatus, for selectivelypreventing and allowing movement of the vehicle from the identificationand psychological profiling zone into the automatic inspection zone. 27.The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, further comprising means, undercontrol of the apparatus, for selectively preventing and allowingmovement of the vehicle from the automatic inspection zone into themanual inspection zone.
 28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25,further comprising means, under control of the apparatus, forselectively preventing and allowing movement of the vehicle from themanual inspection zone into the first area.
 29. The apparatus as claimedin claim 25 in which components of the apparatus that are located in atleast one of: the identification and psychological profiling zone; theautomatic inspection zone; and the manual inspection zone, are hardenedagainst the effects of explosive blast.
 30. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 14, wherein the number plate recognition means includes a numberplate recognition camera.
 31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25,further comprising a number plate recognition camera for capturingnumber plate data about the vehicle being driven into the first area;and wherein the vehicle is visible to the number plate recognitioncamera on entry of the vehicle into the identification and psychologicalprofiling zone; and on detection by the number plate recognition cameraof the vehicle entering into the identification and psychologicalprofiling zone, the number plate recognition camera is triggered tocapture number plate data about the vehicle.
 32. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 14, further comprising means for detecting a presenceof explosives associated with the vehicle that is being driven into thefirst area.
 33. The apparatus according to claim 25, further comprisingmeans for detecting a presence of explosives associated with the vehiclethat is being driven into the first area located in at least one of theautomatic inspection zone and the manual inspection zone.
 34. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the means for detecting thepresence of explosives include at least one of portable explosivesdetection devices and a detecting portal through which the vehicle isdriven.
 35. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is amotor vehicle.
 36. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the firstarea is a secure site.
 37. A vehicle access control system comprising aplurality of apparatuses for automatically inspecting vehicles beingdriven into different first areas, wherein the apparatuses are networkedtogether; and each apparatus comprises: imaging means for capturing animage of an undercarriage of a vehicle as the vehicle is being driveninto the respective first area; database means for storing images ofundercarriages of vehicles which are permitted into the respective firstarea; and means for comparing the captured image of the undercarriage ofthe vehicle being driven into the respective first area with at leastone of the stored images of the undercarriages of vehicles on thedatabase means.
 38. A method for automatically inspecting a vehiclebeing driven into a first area, the method comprising: capturing animage of an undercarriage of the vehicle as the vehicle is being driveninto the first area; and comparing the captured image of theundercarriage of the vehicle being driven into the first area with atleast one stored image of undercarriages of vehicles which are permittedinto the first area.
 39. The method according to claim 38, wherein thecapturing step comprises: capturing a series of overlapping images ofdifferent areas of the undercarriage of the vehicle; and stitching theseries of images of different areas of the undercarriage, to form acomposite complete undercarriage image.
 40. The method according toclaim 38, further comprising: inputting an identification of a vehiclebeing driven into the first area; comparing the captured image of theundercarriage of the vehicle with at least one stored image associatedwith the identification of the vehicle being driven into the first area;highlighting if there are discrepancies between the compared capturedimage and at least one stored image; and triggering an alert when adiscrepancy is determined.
 41. The method according to claim 40, whereininputting an identification of a vehicle comprises reading anidentification number on a vehicle number plate.
 42. The methodaccording to claim 38, further comprising: capturing driveridentification data of a driver of a current vehicle being driven intothe first area; comparing input driver identification data with driveridentification data of drivers permitted to drive vehicles into thefirst area to determine whether the driver is permitted into the firstarea; and comparing identification data of the current vehicle beingdriven into the first area with driver identification data to determinewhether the driver is permitted to drive the current vehicle into thefirst area.
 43. A method for automatically inspecting a vehicle beingdriven into a first area, the method comprising: capturingidentification data about a driver who is driving the vehicle into thefirst area; reading a number on a vehicle number plate of the vehiclebeing driven into the first area; and based on captured identificationdata about the driver who is driving the vehicle into the first area,captured number plate data, and driver identification data identifyingdrivers who are permitted to drive vehicles into the first area,determining whether the driver is permitted to drive the vehicle intothe first area.
 44. The method according to claim 42, wherein capturingidentification data about a driver comprises capturing data from apersonal identification card.
 45. The method according to claim 43,wherein capturing identification data about a driver comprises capturingbiometrics data from the driver comprising at least one of: a facialimage of each such driver; a print of at least a portion of a hand ofeach such driver; an eye scan of each such driver; and voice data ofeach such driver.
 46. The method according to claim 43, wherein:capturing identification data comprises detecting physiological dataabout the driver who is driving the vehicle; and further comprising:inferring, from the detected physiological data, information about acurrent psychological profile of the driver; and triggering an alertingmechanism when the inferred current psychological profile of the drivermatches specified criteria.
 47. The method as claimed in claim 46, inwhich the specified criteria include a stress level of the driver. 48.The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein: the physiological dataincludes data about either or both of the pulse rate and voicecharacteristic data of the driver; and wherein inferring the currentpsychological profile of the driver from the detected physiological dataincludes comparing at least one of the detected pulse rate of the driverwith a stored base-line pulse rate data for the driver, and the detectedvoice characteristic of the driver with a stored voice characteristicdata for the driver.
 49. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein:capturing identification data about the driver takes place when thevehicle is in an identification and psychological profiling zone;capturing an image of the undercarriage of the vehicle takes place whenthe vehicle is in an automatic inspection zone; and a number on avehicle number plate is read when the vehicle is detected entering intothe identification and psychological profiling zone; and furthercomprising detecting the vehicle entering into the identification andpsychological profiling zone.
 50. The method as claimed in claim 49,further comprising selectively preventing and allowing movement of thevehicle from at least one of: the identification and psychologicalprofiling zone into the automatic inspection zone; the automaticinspection zone into a manual inspection zone; and the manual inspectionzone into the first area.
 51. The method as claimed in claim 38, furthercomprising detecting a presence of explosives associated with thevehicle that is being driven into the first area.
 52. A method ofcontrolling vehicular access to a first area having at least oneentrance with a plurality of inspection zones, each inspection zonebeing contiguous with at least one other inspection zone and at leastone inspection zone being contiguous with a secure site, the methodcomprising: permitting a driver to bring a vehicle attempting access tothe first area to enter into a first one of the inspection zones;conducting at least one inspection process on the vehicle in the firstinspection zone; wherein allowable outcomes of the at least oneinspection process in the first inspection zone comprise: (i) thevehicle failing the at least one inspection process and: (a) the vehiclenot being permitted to move out of the first inspection zone; or (b) thevehicle being allowed to leave without proceeding into the first area;and (ii) the vehicle passing the at least one the inspection process andbeing permitted to move out of the first inspection zone into a secondone of the inspection zones; and if the vehicle has entered the secondinspection zone conducting at least one other inspection process on thevehicle in the second inspection zone; wherein allowable outcomes of theat least one other inspection process in the second inspection zonecomprise: (iii) the vehicle failing the at least one inspection processand: (c) the vehicle not being permitted to move out of the secondinspection zone; or (d) the vehicle being allowed to leave withoutproceeding into the first area; and (iv) the vehicle passing the atleast one other inspection process and being permitted to move out ofthe second inspection zone.
 53. The method as claimed in claim 52,wherein one of the first and second inspection zones is anidentification and psychological profiling zone in which at least one ofthe following categories of data is captured: biometric data about thedriver; image data about the driver; and image data about a number plateof the vehicle.
 54. The method as claimed in claim 53, wherein the otherone of the first and second inspection zones is an automated inspectionzone contiguous with the identification and psychological profilingzone, the automated inspection zone including at least one of: anexplosives detection portal for chemically detecting explosivesassociated with a vehicle; and an apparatus for capturing an image of anundercarriage of a vehicle.